Matt Quist, a 2014 graduate of Flathead High School and sophomore at the University of Montana, cleared seven feet in the high jump last weekend.
Only two weeks into the outdoor track and field season, the Bigfork native set a personal best, winning the high jump event at the Al Manuel Northwest Dual at Dornblaser Field in Missoula.
Quist cleared 7-1 in the competition, his first time surpassing seven feet.
“A lot of people play up the 7-footers’ club and say once you clear seven feet, you’re a legit collegiate high jumper, so it felt good to finally get over that,” Quist said. “It was definitely a big barrier I crossed over today.
“I kind of feel free now in a way. I can set my mind on other things, like going to regionals and going for the school record.”
Jas Gill holds the UM program record of 7-2.5.
Quist is coming off a standout indoor season in which he cleared 6-10.75 and was atop the Big Sky Conference performance list. He earned conference athlete of the week honors in February.
Montana will compete twice on the road next week. The Grizzlies will go head-to-head against Eastern Washington on Friday at the 44th Pelluer Invitational in Cheney. On Saturday Montana will compete at Spokane Community College’s War IX.